Leave the crowded tourist spots behind for the charming seaside city of Obama in Fukui Prefecture, Japan! With this useful English guide in hand, explore the city’s storied shrines and temples, learn about the Mackerel Road stretching towards Kyoto, experience traditional local crafts, immerse yourself in pristine nature, and eat your fill of the freshest fish and other delicious food – all here
in Obama!
That’s Obama!
Ocean views, delicious seafood, rich history, and a welcoming community…
The seaside city of Obama may not be as well-known as tourist hubs like Tokyo and Kyoto, but this historical port town has a lot to oer for visitors willing to venture a little ways off the beaten track!
Driving what is now known as the Mackerel Road or taking a train along the scenic Lake Biwa and the Sea of Japan will bring you to Obama City in Fukui Prefecture. It is a small city with a population of just under 30,000 people, and its inhabitants mostly make a living in the agricultural and commercial fishing industries. Local traditional crafts include lacquerware (especially chopsticks!), agate carving, and washi papermaking, while popular cuisine features winter crab, kuzu manju sweets, bamboo-pickled sea bream, Yatabe green onions, ume plums, and a dizzying variety of mackerel! Seasonal tourism usually consists of beach lovers, autumn color chasers, and seafood connoisseurs, but Obama is worth visiting for its heritage and art as well.
After all, in earlier periods of history when Kyoto was still the capital of Japan, mountain routes to Obama were actually its primary mode of access to the sea. This went beyond just fishing, as Obama also served as the gateway to the Asian mainland.
With foreign goods and travelers arriving from abroad to proceed down to Kyoto along with local staple foods such as fish and salt, Obama inevitably absorbed aspects of its trading partners’ refined culture, some of which has survived to this day in the form of culinary traditions, architecture, hospitality customs, and festivals.
Keep reading to discover even more about this charming city by the sea!
Obama Destination Management Organization
24-45-2 Wakuri, Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, Japan
Tel : 0770-56-3366
Experience Obama city (Booking activities)
Wakasa Obama Tourist Information Center
6-1 Ekimae-cho, Obama City, Fukui Prefecture, Japan
Tel.: 0770-52-3844
AloJapan.com